This 8-year-old cat presented with a 6-week history of sneezing and 1-week history of right-sided facial swelling. Diagnostic testing revealed chronic kidney disease, hyperglobulinemia, and neutrophilia. CT imaging showed a soft tissue mass filling the right nasal cavity and bone lysis. Rhinoscopy and nasal biopsies found marked neutrophilic rhinitis on the right and mild rhinitis on the left, with no evidence of neoplasia or fungi. Abdominal ultrasound showed shrunken kidneys consistent with chronic kidney disease. The facial swelling is likely due to a chronic, non-neoplastic rhinitis, though a secondary bacterial infection cannot be ruled out

1. Signalment:
Eight-year-old, male-neutered, domestic shorthair cat
Clinical history:
Presented with a 6-week history of non-productive sneezing and a one week of right-sided facial
swelling. They had recently been administered a short course of amoxicillin-clavulanate, but the
response to this was equivocal.
On further questioning, they also had a 12-months history of progressive weight loss, with reduced
appetite and possibly increased thirst. They had outdoor access, so their frequency and volume of
urination was unknown.
They were up to date with vaccinations, given topical Frontline (fipronil) intermittently, and given a
Milbemax wormer (milbemycin oxime; praziquantel) at time of vaccination. There was no history of
travel outside the UK.
QUESTION 1: What are your problems? What are your differentials (what is most likely)?
What do you want to do next (and how much will that cost)? > Go to next page for answers
Case example 1
Physical examination:
They had a non-painful, right-sided, soft-tissue, facial swelling extending caudally from the nasal planum to the orbit, and from the midline
to the right lateral canthus (see photo). They had protrusion of the third eyelid and an enlarged right submandibular lymph node, both on
the right. They had bilateral nasal airflow.
They were in thin body condition (body condition score 3/9).
Clinical examination was otherwise unremarkable.

2. QUESTION 1: What are your problems?
ANSWER:
• Major concerns
o Six-week history of non-productive sneezing
o One-week history of unilateral facial swelling
o Enlarged sub-mandibular lymph node
• Minor concerns
o One-year history of reduced appetite ( weight loss / thin condition) / increased thirst that was
progressive
o Third-eyelid protrusion
o Recently received antimicrobials – unknown response
QUESTION 2: What are your differentials?
> Go to next page for answers

3. QUESTION 2: What are your differentials?
ANSWER:
• Sneezing
o Infection – viral (e.g. feline herpesvirus (FHV-1); fungal (e.g. Cryptococcus); bacterial
o Foreign body
o Dental disease
o Environmental irritation
• Unilateral facial swelling
o Superficial disease
 Infection (abscess or cellulitis) – bacterial (e.g. cat fight injuries); fungal
 Inflammation – allergic (e.g. insect sting)
 Trauma
 Haematoma
o Orbital disease
 Conjunctivitis
o Extension of disease from the nasal cavity / sinus
 Infection – bacterial; fungal
 Neoplasia
> Answer continued on next page
Notes: Due to the shared timeframe – the sneezing and facial swelling are likely
related. This makes invasive disease (neoplasia; deep infection) most likely

4. QUESTION 3: What do you want to do next? > Go to next page for answers
… continued… QUESTION 2: What are your differentials?
Whilst, we tend to focus on the major / acute problems, considering the minor issues can sometimes raise the suspicions of differentials for the major problem. It also
highlights areas we might want to assess before proceeding to more invasive procedures.
 Reduced appetite
o Oral / dental disease
o Gastrointestinal disease
o Systemic disease e.g. chronic kidney disease; apathetic hyperthyroidism; cholangitis; pancreatitis
o Reduced sense of smell
 Increased thirst
o Chronic kidney disease
o Hyperthyroidism
o Diabetes mellitus
o Increased gastrointestinal losses
o Electrolyte disturbances
 Third eyelid protrusion
o Orbital disease
o Neurological disease (e.g. middle ear disease)
 Enlarged lymph node
o Inflammation – e.g. reactive (i.e. to inflammation of tissues that drain into it)
o Neoplasia – primary (e.g. lymphoma); metastatic (i.e. from tissues that drain into it)
Notes: Due to the shared timeframe – the reduced appetite and increased thirst are most likely related, and can be considered in combination (e.g. consider your
differential list for polydipsia and prioritise those that also reduce appetite, whilst lowering, but not removing the differentials that often cause increased appetite). The
weight loss and thin condition can also be considered a function of the reduced appetite. Unlikely that diabetes has been present for a year without having a crisis, but
there could be compound issues happening.
The enlarged lymph node is likely related to the facial swelling as on the same side – but that fits with both neoplasia and infection!

5. QUESTION 3: What do you want to do next?
ANSWER
 Haematology – looking for evidence of inflammation or systemic disease
 Serum biochemistry – looking for evidence of inflammation or systemic disease; checking for chronic kidney disease,
hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, electrolyte disturbances etc.
 Urinalysis – looking for evidence of reduced urine concentrating ability (e.g. to support increased renal losses as a cause of the
polydipsia), and to check for diabetes mellitus
 Clotting screen – check for coagulopathy (preferable, before inducing epistaxis! But, as no history of epistaxis / haemorrhage,
could be optional if finances are limited)
 Respiratory virus screen (FHV-1 PCR and feline calicivirus (FCV) RT-PCR)
 Cryptococcus antigen serology (optional, could pend other diagnostics e.g. histology or cytology)
 Retrovirus screen (optional, but sensible in a sick, older cat)
 Fine needle aspirate cytology
o Lymph node
o Facial swelling
 Diagnostic imaging – CT head
 Endoscopy – rhinoscopy with biopsy
Estimate to get an answer (i.e. does not include treatment) £3500
> Go to next page for test results

6. Investigation
Blood analysis
Parameter Unit Reference interval
Hb 8.99 g/dl 8.00 – 15.00
HCT 28.8 % 25.0 – 45.0
RBC 6.94 x1012/l 5.50 – 10.00
MCV 41.4 fl 40.0 – 55.0
MCH 13.0 pg 12.5 – 17.0
MCHC 31.3 g/dl 30.0 – 35.0
Plt 393 x109/l 200 – 700
WBC 25.7 x109/l 4.90 – 19.00
Neutrophils 23.64 x109/l 2.40 – 12.50
Lymphocytes 1.80 x109/l 1.40 – 6.00
Monocytes 0.00 x109/l <0.70
Eosinophils 0.26 x109/l <1.60
Basophils 0.00 x109/l <0.10
Blood film examination Unremarkable
Haematology
Clotting seen
Was unremarkable
Parameter Unit Reference interval
Urea 10.3 mmol/l 6.5 – 10.5
Creatinine 211 µmol/l 133 – 175
Total protein 91.7 g/l 77.0 – 91.0
Albumin 23.5 g/l 24.0 – 35.0
Globulin 68.2 g/l 21.0 – 51.0
Albumin/Globulin ratio 0.35 0.4 – 1.30
ALT 21 IU/l 15 – 45
ALKP 5 IU/l 15 – 60
Total bilirubin 3.4 µmol/l <10
Sodium 151.9 mmol/l 149.0 – 157.0
Potassium 3.86 mmol/l 4.00 – 5.00
Chloride 122 mmol/l 115 – 130
Calcium 2.38 mmol/l 2.30 – 2.50
Phosphate 0.70 mmol/l 0.95 – 1.55
Glucose 6.3 mmol/l 4.0 – 6.5
Cholesterol 4.8 mmol/l 3.5 – 7.0
Triglycerides 0.42 mmol/l <1
Thyroxine 25.9 nmol/L 15-60
Serum biochemistry
> Test results continued on next page

7. Investigation (continued)
Urinalysis (collected by cystocentesis)
pH 6.7
Protein creatinine ratio 0.21
Specific gravity 1.022
Dipstick Blood ++
Glucose negative
Ketones negative
Sediment examination Unremarkable
Culture Negative
Infectious disease screening
 Respiratory virus screen – negative for FHV-
1 and FCV by PCR / RT-PCR
 Cryptococcus antigen serology – negative
 Retrovirus screen – FIV antibody negative;
FeLV antigen negative
Fine needle aspirate cytology
 Sub-mandibular lymph node were possible
conscious:
Description: Mixed population of
predominantly small lymphocytes, with
scattering of plasma cells and neutrophils. No
organisms seen.
Comment: Consistent with immune stimulation
 Facial swelling not attempted whilst conscious
QUESTION 4: What do you think is going on? What do you want to do next (i.e. have these results changed your
investigation plan)?
> Go to next page for answers

8. QUESTION 4: What do you think is going on? What do you want to do next (i.e. have these results changed your
investigation plan)?
ANSWER:
Preliminary Conclusions & treatment
Conclusions
There is evidence of kidney disease, most likely chronic given the history. Due to the reduced body condition the creatinine value
likely underestimated the degree of compromise. Concurrent diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism have been ruled out.
Kidney disease combined with fasting prior to blood sampling likely account for the slightly low potassium. The
hyperglobulinaemia likely reflects a chronic inflammatory process, supported by the mature neutrophilia; however, a neoplastic
process could not be ruled out.
The lymph node cytology makes inflammation more likely and neoplasia less likely – but does not rule it out.
Common infectious causes of rhinitis (i.e. FHV-1; FCV) have been ruled out, as have common reasons for immune-suppression.
Initial treatment
The presence of kidney disease does not account for the facial swelling; however, it does impact on investigation and future
treatment. Further evaluation of the kidneys would now be indicated: measurement of blood pressure; abdominal
ultrasonography. Iodinated CT contrast agents have the potential to exacerbate kidney disease and cause acute kidney injury;
they are used only with caution in animals with known kidney compromise. In this case, potassium-supplemented fluid therapy
was administered prior to the anaesthetic to address any subclinical dehydration, a lower dose of contrast agent was used, and
the owner was warned of the potential risk.

9. Further investigation
CT imaging
• Head – revealed the following changes
o The right frontal sinus is fluid filled and
the overlying frontal bone is thinned at its
rostral limit, axial to the zygomatic
process of the frontal bone.
o There is mild swelling of the soft tissues
dorsal to the zygomatic arch on the right.
o The majority of the right nasal cavity is
filled with contrast-enhancing soft tissue.
o There is evidence of turbinate
destruction, and partial lysis of the right
naso-orbital wall (likely involving the
lacrimal, palatine and maxillary bones).
o Gas pockets are visible within the soft
tissues of both orbits (incidental).
o The right mandibular and right medial
retropharyngeal lymph nodes are
enlarged (7 mm and 8-10 mm
respectively).
• Thorax – was unremarkable > Test results continued on next page
ABOVE: CT images of the skull, viewed using a bone window (A) and a soft-tissue window pre-(B) and post-(C) contrast, immediately
rostral to the orbits. The contrast enhancing soft-tissue mass in the right nasal cavity is indicated (A; arrows), as is the bony
destruction lateral to the mass (A; arrow head)
A C
B
LEFT: CT image, viewed using a bone window, at the level of the
middle of the orbits revealing the fluid containing right frontal
sinus (arrow head)

10. Further investigation (continued)
Rhinoscopy
• Retroflexed rhinoscopy: the nasopharynx was slightly irregular with small undulations on the ventral surface
• Anterograde rhinoscopy: examination of the left nasal passage revealed a small amount of mucopurulent
discharge and slight hyperaemia of the mucosal surfaces. Examination of the right nasal passage revealed:
moderate amounts of purulent discharge; very irregular turbinates; and a large, pale, mass-lesion occupying the
dorsal and rostral nasal chamber.
Cytology
• Nasal flush: Scattered neutrophils made up the majority of the cells present. These were very poorly preserved.
There were also occasional large squamous epithelial cells, some with Simonsiella bacteria attached.
• Nasal biopsy impression smear: Across the smears there were very high numbers of nucleated cells and
moderated numbers of erythrocytes. The nucleated cells were predominantly (>90%) neutrophils, which
appeared somewhat ragged, with the vast majority of the remainder being ciliated columnar respiratory epithelial
cells. These showed moderate cytoplasmic basophilia, anisocytosis and anisokaryosis. There were occasional
binucleated examples. Occasional macrophages were also present. No organisms were noted.
Comment: Marked neutrophilic inflammation and accompanying dysplasia in the epithelium. The cause for the
inflammation is not evident.
> Test results continued on next page

11. Further investigation (continued)
Nasal Histopathology
• Right nasal biopsy: Where present, the surface is predominantly covered by pseudostratified, columnar, ciliated, (respiratory) epithelium.
Within the propria-submucosa there is patchy oedema and recent haemorrhage; vessels are generally congested and small vessels frequently
contain increased numbers of granulocytes. In addition, there is a patchy, moderate to focally marked increase in lymphocytes and plasma
cells with moderate infiltration by neutrophils. Portions of turbinate bone are present and appear normal. In one section, there is focal
deposition of amorphous to hyaline, birefringent, palely eosinophilic material within the propria-submucosa, but fails to stain with Congo red
(collagen). Adjacent to the surface of the sections there are aggregates of neutrophils, admixed with sloughed epithelial cells, free red blood
cells and a background of flocculent to wispy, eosinophilic material (mucus). Staining with PAS fails to identify the presence of fungi. A
separate section is presented on a second slide, and comprises an aggregate of neutrophils, admixed with free red blood cells, sloughed
epithelial cells and abundant finely granular, basophilic material that stains negatively with Gram, the appearance of which is suspicious of
Gram-negative bacteria. Staining with PAS fails to identify the presence of fungi.
• Left nasal biopsy: The sections comprise portions of nasal turbinate that are covered by respiratory epithelium. There is some oedema of
the propria-submucosa and small vessels are generally congested; there is patchy, mild infiltration of the propria-submucosa by neutrophils
and there are focal areas of deposition of a fibrillar, eosinophilic, birefringent extracellular matrix that fails to stain with Congo red (collagen).
The fragments comprise small portions of nasal turbinate; portions of squamous epithelium; aggregates of neutrophils that are admixed with
free red blood cells, and flocculent, eosinophilic material. Staining with PAS fails to identify the presence of fungi.
Comment: Within the sections collected from the right nasal cavity there is a patchy, moderate to focally severe rhinitis, comprising
lymphocytes, plasma cells and neutrophils, with evidence of exudation and in one section, a suspicion of Gram-negative bacteria. Within the
sections collected from the left nasal cavity there is a patchy, mild neutrophilic rhinitis. Within the sections collected from both nasal cavities
there are areas of deposition of collagen (fibrosis). There is no evidence of neoplasia or fungal infection in the sections examined.
> Test results continued on next page

12. Further investigation (continued)
Nasal biopsy culture (left and right)
Fungal culture: negative
Extended bacterial culture (aerobic and anaerobic):
negative
Serum protein electrophoresis
Revealed a polyclonal gammopathy
Abdominal ultrasound
 Bilateral renal changes:
o Shrunken size (right kidney 27mm in length; left kidney
37mm in length)
o Irregular outline (considered secondary to multiple
chronic renal infarcts)
o Cortices were very hyperechoic, with poor
corticomedullary differentiation
o Faint corticomedullary rim sign
QUESTION 5: What do you think is going on? What do you want to do next? > Go to next page for answers

13. QUESTION 5: What do you think is going on? What do you want to do next?
ANSWER:
Follow-up conclusions, treatment & outcome
Follow-up conclusions
• Destructive, invasive nasal mass – biopsy revealed suspected suppurative neutrophilic rhinitis / turbinate
osteomyelitis, but culture was negative
• Chronic kidney disease – IRIS stage II; non-hypertensive; borderline proteinuric
Secondary bacterial infection is not uncommon during nasal disease – due to altered production and flow of mucus.
This explains the, often partial, response to antimicrobials – but the frequent recurrence when the antimicrobials are
discontinued. Combined with the low likelihood of primary nasal turbinate osteomyelitis, high likelihood of nasal
neoplasia in an older cat with nasal signs, and (unpublished) data that indicate ~ 1 in 3-4 companion animals with nasal
biopsies (performed by specialists) require repeat nasal biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis, a missed diagnosis of
nasal neoplasia could not be ruled out. Further investigation (i.e. repeat biopsy) was declined by the client at that time.
The negative bacterial culture could have been due to the recent antimicrobials, and the lack of response due to the
shortness of the course administered.
> Answer continued on next page

14. QUESTION 5: What do you think is going on? What do you want to do next?
ANSWER:
Treatment & outcome
Chronic kidney disease likely accounted, at least in part, for the reduced appetite, increased thirst and weight loss.
They were managed with a renal support diet and monitored – as per the IRIS guidelines (www.iris-kidney.com)
The localised nasal infection may have also contributed to the reduced appetite. They were treated with a prolonged
(12 week) course of amoxicillin-clavulanate (12mg/kg; q8hrs) – for presumed osteomyelitis. The facial swelling resolved
and the sneezing ceased. Repeat imaging (2.5 months after the initial investigation) revealed absence of the mass,
resolution of the fluid accumulations, and normal draining lymph nodes. Nasal biopsy histology was consistent with
chronic lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis. Blood analysis revealed a resolution of the neutrophilia, an increase in the
haematocrit, a gradual reduction in the hyperglobulinaemia, and a gradual progression of the azotaemia (into IRIS
grade III). Clinical signs did not recur following completion of the antimicrobial course.